Abstract: Refractory metal borides, carbides, nitrides and mixtures thereof of the Group IVb, Vb and VIb metals are produced from a glass or microcrystalline gel formed from organo-metallic precursors. Typically TiO.sub.2.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 glass is produced by hydrolysis of titanium butoxide and trimethyl borate, followed by gelling/drying. The glass may have carbon inclusions or may be mixed with carbon or aluminum powder or a mixture thereof, and reacted. In the case of aluminothermic and carboaluminothermic reduction, there is a residual aluminum-containing phase in the product. Composites can also be produced by including inert materials in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for rendering an aluminum electrowinning cell component fabricated from an aluminum nonwettable material wettable by molten aluminum, and therefore utilizable within the cell. Under the method, the component is coated with titanium and boron, and while the component is immersed in molten aluminum within the cell, the molten aluminum is maintained near saturation with boron and titanium.

Abstract: A substantially non-consumable anode used in the production of aluminium from a cryolite-based fused bath containing alumina consists of a sintered self-sustaining ceramic oxide body of spinel structure which is made conductive by selective partial substitution, the introduction of non-stoichiometry or by doping so as to maintain the impurities in the produced aluminium at low levels. Preferred materials are partially-substituted nickel ferrite spinels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a drained aluminum electrowinning cathode dimensionally stable. A thin, 1/2 to 10 millimeter coating of substantially stagnant molten aluminum is maintained upon the cathode surface by an openly porous sheath or membrane closely conforming to contours of the electrowinning cathode. The sheath or membrane is made from a material substantially resistant to corrosives present in the aluminum electrowinning; it may be only slightly aluminum wettable, but should be relatively electrically nonconductive.

Abstract: A self-supporting reticulate of titanium hydride (TiH.sub.2) is formed by slurry-coating an open cell organic synthetic resinous material, or other pore-former, and eliminating the carbon-containing components of binder and/or solvent, viscosity modifiers, thickening agents, and the like at a temperature below about 400.degree. C. In an analogous manner, an inorganic refractory material open cell substrate or other pore-former substrate may be slurry-coated and converted to a TiH.sub.2 reticulate in which the substrate is coated with TiH.sub.2 to yield a supported TiH.sub.2 reticulate. Either the self-supporting TiH.sub.2 reticulate, or the supported one, free of carbonaceous material, may be sintered to yield an essentially pure Ti (metal) reticulate which is essentially free of titanium carbide. Ti reticulates so formed are coated with Pt group metal oxides and used as anodes in chloroalkali cells.